5 Bad Oral Habits that are Harming Your Teeth

We all have those bad habits that we usually don’t even notice until someone points them out. This blog is supposed to act as one of those cautionary moments, as we point out several of the worst common oral habits we’ve seen here at Susquehanna Dental Arts. If you find yourself nodding along as you’re reading this list, we encourage you to fight back against these harmful oral habits!

Smoking – The top item on list isn’t just harmful to your organs, muscles, and senses, it also does significant damage to your mouth and teeth. Oral cancer is just one of the many negative effects of smoking, but others can include bad breath, yellow teeth, receding gum lines, and even tooth loss.

Nail Biting – Nail biting is another awful oral habit common among patients. There are so many different reasons to clip this one from your list. These reasons include germs, since your nails hold almost twice as many as your hands, damage to the teeth and jaw, nail infections, and more expensive dental bills!

Teeth are not Tools – We’re all guilty of this, but much like nail biting the harm of this habit leads to more expensive trips to the dentist. Instead of using your teeth as pliers or scissors, take a few seconds and grab the real pliers or scissors. Your teeth and wallet will thank you for it.

Brushing too Hard and using a Hard-Bristled Toothbrush – Brushing too hard can cause more harm than good. Your enamel is sensitive and requires proper care. If you brush too forcefully, you can wear down this enamel, leading to gum irritation, sensitive teeth and gums, and even cavities. Hard-bristled toothbrushes aren’t your best choice, especially as you age, so consider replacing these with a softer alternative.

Not Flossing – Many patients tend to hear our cautionary reminder at each appointment to remember to floss regularly. You should floss daily to ensure all your mouth cavities are properly cleaned. As one of the most important dental health habits, flossing helps promote a lower risk of gum disease, fight bad breath, and leads to better overall oral hygiene.

If one or more of these items sounds familiar to you, you should take steps to avoid and eliminate this bad habit. Not only will your teeth thank you for it, but also your gums and smile. Stop harming your teeth and start your journey to a healthier mouth!

Of course if you run into any problems due to these bad habits and need cosmetic or general dentistry, we’re always here to help. Just call the team at Susquehanna Dental Arts through the number at the top or bottom of the page and we’ll be sure to help.